(ATR) Thomas Konietzko, president of the German Canoe Federation (DKV), makes his candidacy for the office of International Canoe Federation (ICF) president public.
After four years as vice-president of the ICF, Konietzko will apply for the highest office in the ICF. The election will be held during the congress in Manila, Philippines from April 22-25, 2021.
"Jose Perurena-Lopez will not run for president next year," said Konietzko. "As a result, many friends from other international federations actually approached me and encouraged me to apply. My goal, as I have already done as Vice President, will be to further develop canoeing in Asia, America and Africa. Canoeing must become more present in this market. As President, I would also like to emphasize even more what excellent disciplines and opportunities we offer as canoeists. By this I do not only mean Olympic sports, but also our non-Olympic sports and of course recreational sports".
Konietzko, as vice president of the ICF, has already been able to reform the Olympic canoeing program by initiating a commission under his leadership to organize an equal number of disciplines for men and women from the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
"This was not an easy task", says Konietzko. "A certain diplomatic skill was needed to gather the various national federations behind the proposal."
Konietzko also sees great opportunities in the marketing of the federation
"Jose Perurena has already given very good impulses here," says Konietzko. "We have made a big step in the area of live streaming or television contracts. But you always have to be very innovative in terms of media and keep your finger on the pulse.
Perurena, 75, has been president of ICF since 2008. He replaced the late Ulrich Feldhoff (Oberhausen) in this office after a 10-year presidency. Perurena's term was extended when the ICF moved the congress from 2020 to next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Konietzko can look back on a historic career after about two decades of voluntary work in the association. After being elected Vice President Youth in the German Canoeing Association in 2005, he took over the office of DKV President from Olaf Heukrodt five years later. In 2016 he became Vice President of the International Canoe Federation.
Homepage photo: ICF
Written by Heinz Peter Kreuzer
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